A Ballina man has been charged after allegedly smashing windows at the Ballina courthouse and a nearby legal office on Thursday night.

Police say they were called to the area about 10.30pm and found six damaged windows at the Ballina Courthouse and a nearby business.

Four large plate-glass windows at the offices of Somerville Laundry and Lomax Solicitors were boarded up on Friday, with the premises closed.

The legal firm is directly across the street from the courthouse.

While the damage appeared to be focused on court and legal premises, no motive has been confirmed at this stage.

Police allege Jayden Mitchell Woods, 29, failed to follow officers’ directions before walking towards them while carrying a bat.

Officers used a Taser to subdue him before he was arrested and taken to the neighbouring Ballina Police Station.

The boarded up windows of Somerville Laundry Lomax Solicitors on Martin St.

Wet weather on Friday afternoon delayed boards being placed over the broken windows at the heritage courthouse building.

Woods was charged with two counts of damaging property and one count of being armed with intent to commit a serious offence.

He appeared by video link from custody before Judge P Robinson on Friday.

The court ordered that Woods be detained in a mental health facility for assessment.